ASTON VILLA owner Randy Lerner admitted he would let Martin O'Neill speak to the FA if they wanted him to manage England in the future - but reckons he is committed to Villa.

O'Neill, 54, was interviewed for the England post as Sven Goran Eriksson's successor before the World Cup last the summer. The ex-Celtic and Leicester boss was overlooked despite his brilliant managerial record and Steve McClaren was appointed.

But the pressure on McClaren has increased after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Spain and Lerner said: "I don't know if I could do anything about it. Martin and I have talked about this. He said, 'I manage Villa and am in for the long haul'."